Chapter 693: East Continent

“Make way!”

As Mansu’s voice rang out, his figure flashed, and he instantly landed before the crowd blocking their path. Then, imperceptible waves of gravitational force materialized around him, causing everyone in his way to instantly lose their ability to remain airborne.

This was ‘Gravity Crush,’ a destructive Star God Ability. When Wang Ping was in the Second Realm, he had been challenged at his own home by Xiao Lingzi, the Daoist partner of Bai Zhuo, the Sect Leader of the White Water Sect. He had used this very same ‘Gravity Crush’ ability.

Although Mansu’s actions seemed cold, he was actually saving them. Just moments before, the leader of the group had been about to attack, but Mansu had stopped him with a wave of killing intent.

“We should focus on our mission.”

He turned back to look at Wang Ping.

Wang Ping nodded at his words. He called out, “Yu Lian,” and she immediately shrank to a length of six feet, landing on his shoulder.

‘This man seems cold, but he’s quite passionate on the inside. And he’s decisive. It’s a shame he cultivates a Star God Core,’ Yu Lian communicated with Wang Ping in his Spirit Sea.

‘What’s there to be ashamed of? Nothing’s ever perfect!’

As Wang Ping and Yu Lian communicated, he followed Mansu’s aura, flying toward the northern part of the East Continent. In little more than ten breaths, they had locked onto Yunque Mountain’s position. A few breaths after that, Wang Ping saw the very same Yunque Mountain that was recorded in the Daoist Palace’s archives.

‘So this is the power of a Fourth Realm Cultivator. The difference between the Fourth and Third Realms is like heaven and earth. It’s as if they don’t belong in this small world at all.’

Yunque Mountain was immense, the highest among the mountain ranges in a radius of thousands of miles. Like the spine of heaven and earth, it pierced through the clouds, propping up the sky.

“What a place!”

Wang Ping exclaimed in admiration.

Yu Lian’s eyes lit up as she gazed at the network of rivers surrounding the great mountain. At that moment, a naval battle appeared to be raging between two tribes on one of the wide waterways.

Mansu spoke up again, emphasizing, “Focus on the mission!”

“…”

Wang Ping simply nodded, tucking away his appreciation for the beautiful scenery. Yu Lian snarked in his mind, ‘Perhaps that’s the key to him retaining his humanity—being nothing more than a rigid, efficient tool!’

That was a purely derogatory comment. Judging by how Mansu had just dealt with the people blocking their path, he wasn’t a rigid person, though he was certainly efficient.

At that moment, Mansu released his Fourth Realm aura. A faint but palpable gravitational force began to alter the very laws of the region.

A few breaths later, the trees on the mountain began to sway back and forth, and the blowing wind seemed to halt. Down on the river, the two warring parties suddenly found that their weapons felt twice as heavy, followed by their armor.

“Honored guests have arrived, and this old man has failed to welcome you from afar. I hope the two of you, Fellow Daoists, can forgive my discourtesy…”

A hearty and resonant voice rang out. Immediately after, Wang Ping saw a figure appear, dressed in a short-sleeved shirt and pants made of coarse linen. His jet-black hair was tied back messily with a simple wooden pin, but the six-inch, silver-white beard on his chest gave him an aged appearance.

“Greetings, Senior!”

Wang Ping had seen a portrait of Chongxing Taoist before. There was a stark difference between the painting and the man in front of him; the Chongxing Taoist in the portrait possessed an ethereal, immortal-like bearing, whereas this man looked like a common mountain peasant.

“Fellow Daoist Chongxing, it is good to see you well.”

Mansu returned the greeting with a cupped-fist salute.

Chongxing Taoist sized them up with a smile before speaking. “This morning, as this old man was drinking tea outside my abode, my ears were filled with the calls of unfamiliar birds. I thought to myself that honored guests must be arriving today, and it turned out to be you two Fellow Daoists.”

He then made an inviting gesture. “Please, come to my humble abode for a cup of tea.”

Mansu glanced at Wang Ping. Wang Ping was in charge of this mission; Mansu was here to assist—or, one might say, to supervise.

Of course, Wang Ping wasn’t going to refuse.

Chongxing Taoist’s abode was situated on a wide, flat expanse at the summit of Yunque Mountain. Much like Wang Ping’s own Dao Field, it was planted with Spirit Wood Trees. Nestled among the trees were man-made pavilions and waterside terraces, and on the northern edge of the clearing stood a two-story bamboo house built into the mountainside.

Below the abode, scattered across the mountainside, were various settlements built along the streams that flowed down from the peak. Within these settlements were a number of Wood Spirit Cultivators and some Taiyan Cultivators, including even one Third Realm Taiyan Cultivator. Wang Ping presumed they were all disciples of Chongxing Taoist.

Upon entering Chongxing Taoist’s abode, Wang Ping and the Daoist chatted about the mountain’s beautiful scenery and the interesting cultures and stories of the East Continent.

“I haven’t seen a member of the Spiritual Snake Race in a long time. Yuxiao also had a Spirit Snake with him back in the day. I’ve heard they can aid Taiyan Cultivators in their practice. I never expected that his lineage would carry on this tradition.”

Chongxing Taoist said this as he watched Yu Lian sip her tea, bringing up the subject as their previous topic of conversation concluded.

Hearing this, Wang Ping reached out to stroke Yu Lian’s head. “Yu Lian has indeed been a great help to my cultivation,” he said. “Without her, I would have taken many detours.”

Yu Lian clearly enjoyed hearing this, and a deep sense of satisfaction welled up inside her.

“However, since she’s been cultivating with you without access to the bloodline power of the Spirit Snakes, you will need to put in some extra effort for her. It will benefit you in the long run,” Chongxing Taoist reminded Wang Ping in a low voice, glancing at the ever-silent Mansu.

“Please don’t worry, Senior. I know what needs to be done.”

Wang Ping himself had already been planning to make another trip to the habitat of the Spiritual Snake Race in Hu Mountain Country. The first reason was to obtain their bloodline power for Yu Lian; the second was to find a path for her advancement.

Chongxing Taoist didn’t dwell on the subject. He looked at Wang Ping and Mansu, and his tone shifted. “My home may be pleasant, but I can see you two didn’t come just to admire the scenery. Fellow Daoist Rongyang has already informed me about the matter from your recent council.”